Novak Fakervic, Will You Please Stand Up?

This isn’t the first time Novak Djokovic was accused of faking an injury/fatigue when things got tight and somehow I don’t see it’s going to be the last. Tommy Robredo, who took Djokovic to five sets earlier today, was the latest victim of Novak’s antics:

“Q. You sound like you don’t believe Djokovic’s ailments . Is that true?

TOMMY ROBREDO: That’s not that I don’t believe. I have pain, as well. I was running like hell and my feet were burning but I say nothing, no? I think that if you’re not fit enough, then don’t play.

But after every time he was asking for a trainer, he was running like hell and he was making the shot, but he does what he does a lot of times.

So I think we should take care a lot more of these things, because one thing is that if you fell down like I did, I can have blood and it’s normal that trainer gets in because there’s blood or whatever. But for having pain, I had pain, as well, all over my body because I think I run a lot more than him, and I said nothing, no?

So did I trust him? No. No. I think he took his time because he did it because he was a little bit more tired and that’s a part of the game. It help him a lot.”

Andy Roddick also had something to say on the matter:

Q. When asked about his injuries today, mentioning the right ankle as opposed to the left ankle, the other day ‑‑
ANDY RODDICK: Isn’t it both of them? And a back and a hip?

Q. And when he said there are too many to count.
ANDY RODDICK: And a cramp.

Q. The way you’re saying it, almost means you feel like…
ANDY RODDICK: No, if it’s there, it’s there. There’s just a lot. You know, he’s either quick to call a trainer or he’s the most courageous guy of all time. I think it’s up for you guys to decide.

Maybe he really was hurt, but history isn’t on Djokovic’s side. Who can forget the time Novak retired a set down to Roger Federer because of a sore throat? Let’s face the facts, people, Djokovic isn’t from the steely stock of a Nadal or a Federer.

On the plus side, this outfit is much better than the previous two kits.